Method and system for passive acoustic monitoring in seismic survey operations

Abstract

A system for passive acoustic monitoring in connection with seismic surveying includes a survey vessel having a recording system thereon. At least one seismic energy source is coupled to the vessel by a first towing cable. The towing cable includes at least one conductor therein. At least one seismic sensor streamer is coupled to the vessel by a lead in cable. At least one acoustic sensor is coupled to the at least one source by a second towing cable. The second towing cable includes at least one signal conductor configured to transmit signals from the acoustic sensor to the at least one conductor in the first towing cable. The at least one acoustic sensor is configured to detect marine mammal vocalization.

1 . A method for passive acoustic monitoring in connection with seismic surveying, comprising:
 towing at least one seismic energy source behind a survey vessel;   towing at least one seismic sensor streamer behind the vessel; and   towing at least one acoustic sensor behind the at least one seismic energy source, the at least one acoustic sensor configured to detect marine mammal vocalization.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising conducting signals generated by the at least one acoustic sensor to a recording device on the vessel using a conductor disposed in a cable extending between the at least one source and the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising conducting electrical power from a device on the vessel to electronic devices associated with the at least one acoustic sensor using a conductor disposed in a cable extending between the at least one source and the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising digitizing signals generated by the at least one acoustic sensor at a location proximate the at least one acoustic sensor and transmitting the digitized signals to a recording device on the vessel using a conductor disposed in a cable extending between the at least one source and the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . A system for passive acoustic monitoring in connection with seismic surveying, comprising:
 a survey vessel having a recording system thereon;   at least one seismic energy source coupled to the vessel by a first towing cable, the towing cable including at least one conductor therein;   at least one seismic sensor streamer coupled to the vessel by a lead in cable; and'   at least one acoustic sensor coupled to the at least one source by a second towing cable, the second towing cable including at least one signal conductor configured to transmit signals from the acoustic sensor to the at least one conductor in the first towing cable, the at least one acoustic sensor configured to detect marine mammal vocalization.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a preamplifier proximate the acoustic sensor and coupled at its signal input to a signal output of the acoustic sensor, and an analog to digital converter coupled at a signal input thereof to a signal output of the preamplifier, wherein the at least one conductor in the second towing cable provides electrical power to operate the preamplifier and the converter, wherein the at least one conductor in the second towing cable communicates an output of the converter to a recording unit on the vessel.